Joplin vs LocArk: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Joplin and LocArk side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Joplin
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
LocArk
A local-first personal workspace for notes, password records, kanban boards and mind maps
Best for you if:
- • Individuals who want offline notes and password records in one local-first personal workspace
| At a Glance | Joplin | LocArk |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $3.22/mo, billed monthly Basic plan | Free plan |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Task Management |
Rating | 4.4/5 SourceForge 4.3 · G2 4.8 · Trustpilot 3.7 73 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Joplin or LocArk?
Choose Joplin if
- You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
- You want strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE)
Choose LocArk if
- Individuals who want offline notes and password records in one local-first personal workspace
- You want a local-first personal workspace for notes, password records, kanban boards and mind maps
In-Depth Analysis
Joplin
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Joplin's pricing is fair, especially for individual users.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format.
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE).
- Pro: Highly customizable with plugins, themes, and API.
- Pro: Available across a wide range of platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Terminal).
- Pro: Supports multimedia content and web clipping for comprehensive note-taking.
Weaknesses
- Con: E2EE setup requires manual enabling on each device.
- Con: Initial E2EE sync can be time-consuming for large note collections.
- Con: Advanced collaboration and sharing features are tied to paid Joplin Cloud plans.
Key features
LocArk
A local-first personal workspace for notes, password records, kanban boards and mind maps
LocArk's pricing is exceptionally generous, with a free tier covering core needs and a Pro Annual at just $4.90/year or a lifetime option for $24.90.
Key features
Plans and prices: Joplin vs LocArk
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin |
| joplinapp.org/plans read Oct 28, 2026 |
| LocArk |
| locark.com/pricing |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Joplin pricing and LocArk pricing.
Key Takeaways
Joplin
- Choose if you want capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app
LocArk
- Choose if you want a local-first personal workspace for notes, password records, kanban boards and mind maps
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Joplin has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 73 reviews); LocArk has none we can show.
- Joplin starts at $3.22/mo, billed monthly; LocArk has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Joplin and LocArk compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Joplin has a published user rating (4.4/5 from 73 reviews); LocArk has none we can show. Joplin starts at $3.22/mo, billed monthly; LocArk has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Joplin and LocArk used for?
Joplin: Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app. LocArk: A local-first personal workspace for notes, password records, kanban boards and mind maps.
What does Joplin cost vs LocArk?
Joplin's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $3.22/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. LocArk has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between Joplin and LocArk?
Joplin's main strength: open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format. LocArk focuses on a local-first personal workspace for notes, password records, kanban boards and mind maps.